Statistical studies of flux transfer events

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed that flux transfer events (FTEs) have a clear dependence on the interplanetary magnetic field Bz component. Herein we examine other solar wind parameters, beta, dynamic pressure, and Mach number that possibly control the formation of FTEs. None of these other parameters appear to exercise strong control of the rate of FTE occurrence. Hence we conclude that the occurrence of FTEs is probably controlled by some intrinsic property of the magnetospheric system itself rather than by these solar wind parameters. In order to examine whether the bipolar signatures observed in the magnetosheath or magnetosphere are the same phenomenon, magnetosheath FTEs and magnetospheric FTEs are studied separately. The similar results for the two types of FTEs indicate that they do belong to the same statistical population.